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Regiment: 4th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Robert H. Minty, Thomas L. Crittenden, Ulysses S. Grant, William S. Rosecrans
Camp about 3 miles the other side
of Murfreesboro Tenn. Jan’y 11, 1863
My dear Davidson
I shall try to write you a letter, but how
I shall succed I can not tell, as I am far from well,
and would go to bed had I a decent one to lie down
on. I wrote you short notes on the 28
th and
4
th letting you know that all was well with me as
I know you would be anxious. I will write you
what I saw during the battle week. As to the whole of it
you, by this time know much more than I. We have not
yet seen the N.Y. papers. I wish you would keep some
of them for me, and also send me some.
We left Nashville on the morning of the 26th of
December, some say 60000, others 100000 strong. I don’t
know. We were in the left division or wing under
Genl. Crittenden, which took what is called the Murfrees-
boro Pike. The Cavalry were of course in the advance
and the 4
th Michigan Cl that, so that we were the
leaders of the army. About 10 miles out our advance
guard and flankers were thrown out, which is done
in this way. Four men are sent on about ½ a miles
ahead of the main body then on company or about
50 men follow them ¼ of a mile in their rear and about
the same distance in front of the main column. These
are what are called the advance guard. They are to
keep about that distance in front, advancing and halting
when the column does. They are for the purpose of drawing
the enemy’s fire +c. The flankers are from 100 to 150 men
who are put in line on both sides of the road stretching from
the road for a half mile or so each side. They should keep
up with the advance guard. and should thoroughly beat up the
country they go over so no enemy may lie in the bushes.
My place is with the Col at the head of the main body and of course
¼ of a mile behind the advanced guard though half the time I was
marched in this way to within about 3 miles of Savergne, a small
village, where we heard the videttes (the 4 men ahead) firing and on
coming over the brow of a hill we could distinctly see the rebels in
the road about ¾ of a mile a head of us. Our advance and flankers
were firing into them and they were returning the shots. You see the
4
th Michigan opened the fight which continued from Dec 26 till Jan’y 5.
Soon two pieces of artillery were ordered forward which were at-
tached to our brigade, and stationed on the brow of the hill where we were.
They commenced throwing shells into a body of rebels in the road in front
of us. The first one burst exactly in the centre of a squad and sent
them flying. Soon the Col noticed something which made him think there was
artillery with the enemy too, so he ordered the fences to be pulled down and
the cavalry to go in the side fields and behind the hill. This had hardly been done
when the enemy fired a ball which would have raked our whole column
and killed many. It went skimming along the road just where the men had been standing
and within a few feet of us. The men went out of sight on the right of the road
while a few of us who wanted to see went to the left. The rebels turned their guns
that way and fired several shells which soon drove us out of sight too.
Some of them, Col Minty said whistled within 8 Feet of us. We remained there two
or three hours skirmishing and exchanging compliments. They the rebels retired
fighting and we followed. By this time the infantry had taken the advance
of the centre and the cavalry were used as flankers. During the after-
noon about 5 o’clock while we were in a long stretched out line in a corn field
there being about 20 feet between each man. I thought I would ride forward and
and a bullet whistled about a foot from my ear. I did not think much of it supposing it
to be one of the many balls flying around sent on no particular message. In a moment I
heard another and a ball came so close to my head I could almost feel it. I then concluded
that I had been shot at and had no business so far in front so I turned and road back slow-
ly. It would not do to run. I could not see any enemy nor any smoke. The corn war
the rebels must have crept up in the corn and commenced firing at us as the
[ ? ]
lets flew unpleasantly close for a half hour. We had to sit then and be fired at by
an unseen enemy. The balls came very near us buy fortunately no one was hurt. A-
bout a quarter of a mile to our right the infantry were having a brisk fight
with the rebels in a piece of woods. I then thought that was quite a battle.
Our men finally drove them out and our
[ ? ] left us. In the night we
moved back about a mile and encamped. I have written you before how we sleep
when on a march. Mother Earth covered with a blanket is our bed. During the
most of the day it had rained rained all night, and all the
next day. I did not have a dry foot for ten days to anticipate a little.
The next morning early we of the Cavalry were sent on the right
flank of our division to guard against raids and to move along
as our infantry and artillery centre moved. We could hear the skir-
mishing and cannonading in the centre, but saw and felt move
of it. We were all day climbing over rocks and through woods. It
rained soakingly. The enemy had evacuated Savergne during the night
and we pushed to sic miles beyond skirmishing all the way. Ther
we encamped in the midst of a great army. During Sunday we re-
mained in that camp doing little possibly because it was Sunday.
On Monday our regiment was ordered on a scouting expedition about
seven miles to the left to see what the enemy was doing in that
quarter. We went and found all quiet. He was coming move of his
dodges on us yet. On our return in the evening we found that the whole
army had moved about six miles farther to the front and about 3 from Mufrees-
boro. We went there and encamped
Jan’y 14
I had written thus far the other day when I had to give it up and have not
bean able to write since. I have been and am still quite sick dysentery and
a weakness of the stomach which causes me to throw up almost everything I
eat. For several days the Dr has confined me to rice and lets me have only very little
of that. I have not been able to do any work since we came into their camp. Yes-
terday afternoon I received your No 9 of Dec 28. Your papers I receive semi-regularly
The diary which you sent on the 24
th has not yet made its appearance. I shall look
for it.
During the morning of Tuesday the 30th we remained in our
camp waiting for orders. I rode up to the front where the skirmishing was going
on. There I could see the enemy’s and our pickets in sight of each other occa-
sionally having a shot. The army was waiting for something. Troops were shifting
positions here and there, but not advancing. I roade back to our camp about
noon. Soon came an order that we must mount (being saddled all the
time day and night) and be off. It appears that a party of the enemys cavalry
had got into our rear and had burnt and pillaged some of our wagon trains.
We were sent to try and head them off. We road back (leaving in camp one wagons,
tents, which had just come up with us, one sick, etc) seven or eight miles when
we ran across a squad of the enemy’s cavalry about 50. The 7
th Penna started after
them and chased them away into the darkness. We waited for them to return
and went into camp where we were Sunday. The next morning we were con-
tinuing after the train burners on the way to Nashvillw, when we were stopped
by an orderly from Gen Rosecraus, who said that a great battle was going on in
front, we were getting the worst of it, and we were needed towards Murfreesboro.
This was when our right wing was surprised and driven back and our
whole army nearly defeated. The rebels drove us several miles and across the
camp of the 30
th scattering our team, and taking some of our sick prisoners.
We turned about and rode back. Had gone about 3 miles as far as Stewarts Creek
when the rebel cavalry were reported to be coming in strong force. Four of our Co’s
were put into some houses there
[ ? ] holes cut +c. The rest of the brigade went
on a road to the right. I had to remain with the 4 Co’s. We waited there
about an hour when no enemy appearing we were ordered to join the
brigade. We had followed about 3 miles when we received another order to halt
and take a position on a small elevation with two pieces of artillery and
there remain. We did so and stayed until night. The balance of the re-
iment went on and about 3 miles from us were attacked by rebel caval-
ry. They had a very good fight but repulsed the enemy. We remained
until 9 o’clock when we moved back to Stewart’s Creek and camped
I say camped but the truth was we had to take it on the ground with
nothing to eat. My contraband with the horses had got separated from us
in the morning in the confusion and my blankets were with him. So
I saw the old year out and the new one in, on my rubber in a kind of
a cow yard by a pile of burning rails with nothing to cover me. The
night was a cold one and while one ride would roast the other would
freeze. I basted each side alternately. There had been a great fight
in front all day as we could distinctly hear the cannonading and
musketry. At 4 o’clock I was up and was surprised to see
the road jammed with wagons loaded and unloaded going towards Nash-
ville. On enquiry we learned that all wagons and baggage had been or-
dered there and it was supposed a general retreat would take place
as we had without doubt been badly whipped the day before. I
waited until about 9 o’clock when I received permission from Lt Col Dickinson
to ride to the front. Our wagons with all our tents, clothes +c had by this time come to
Stewart’s Creek where we were. My contraband with my two horses the one I purchased
in Michigan and the one I captured from a rebel in Franklin about three weeks before
with all my blankets had just arrived. I was riding a horse of Major Gray’s
mine having lost shoes. You will soon see why I am thus particular. When
I received permission from Col Dickinson I started alone to find our regiment
which was some where in front. The road was filled with stragglers team-
sters, men on foot and horseback all going to the rear. They told terrible stories
there regiments were all cut to pieces not ten men left +c +c. I went on
to find ours, but no one could tell me anything about it as I approached
the front I could see traces of yesterday’s battle dead men lying by the road
side and in fence corners broken wagons, +c. I went to the front as
far as I could when the infantry and artillery were but they were quiet
just then evidently preparing for another struggle. They had no idea of
giving up. From them I learned where our cavalry were about half
a mile to the rear and right. There I went and found them. About
2500 cavalry drawn up in line of battle. I had not been there 15 minutes
when the enemy opened on us with artillery. The shells burst in all direc-
tions about us and but two or three were wounded. I could distinctly
see the shells flying over us. I never could before. They have most persuasive.
noises. We were soon ordered to move back out of range as cavalry un-
supported can do nothing against artillery. In the mean time as soon
as I arrived word had been sent back to Col Dickinson to come up. When
the messenger got there the train had been attacked by rebel cavalry and
about 300 or our wagons burnt. The rebels were finally
driven off by Col Dickinson. Col Innes + others. Many of our officers
lost everything, not a stitch left except what they had on and
that you may imagine none of the cleanest. For several days I
supposed I had lost my box and all my clothes, but fortunately
they were saved. All of the 7
th Penna officers lost everything. I
however lost my nigger and both my horses and blankets.
The darkey was pulled off the horse he was riding by our fright-
ened soldiers; others took away the one he was leading and
disappeared in the crowd. I have had Nashville looked
through since for them but they “now sent inventi” I
must manage to seize a couple more. Buy one I shall not.
How property is too unstable here. I have often wished I never had bought
one. You see it pays in a
[ ? ] way to go to war.
Jan’y 16.
This letter is dragging its slow length along and should have
been finished long ago but I am not able to write much at
a time. I shall not try to through the rest of
my experience during that week. We were all the time either
on horseback or lyring by our horses ready to mount at a
moments notice. On Friday afternoon the great and de-
cisive battle took place when the rebels were whipped. We
was about a mile from the field stationed to look out
for flank attacks. We could hear the shouts the cannon-
adding and musketry. It was one continuous war for 1 ¾ hours
We could see nothing of it however until we were ordered
on the main road when the wounded poured past us.
They were as jolly as possible. Every body was shouting and
cheering for all believed we had the enemy on the hip and
we did On Saturday and Sunday we were kept quiet
but by our horses. I do not believe our horses were
unsaddled 12 hours during the week. About an hour
after I wrote you Sunday word was brought into camp
that the enemy were evacuating Murfreesboro. We were
immediately moved about 5 miles to the right
what for I don’t know. Monday morning we en-
tered Murfreesboro. Before reaching there we passed over
the battle field of Wednesday. Hundreds of the dead
were lying scattered around yet unburied. It was a
horrid sight. The most, if not all, of our soldiers
had been stripped naked by the rebels. You know they
held the field for a day or two. Almost all the unburied
were our men, the rebels having burried theirs, tho I
saw a good many butternuts lying there. Some of the
trees were literally covered with ball holes from the
ground to 25 feet high. Not a tree for a mile but
what was marked. I saw one tree two feet in
diameter with a hole about the size of your fist
directly through the centre of it through which you
could see. others were cut intwo by cannon balls. I
there saw enough of war. The rebels had left
many tents +c. in and about Murfreesboro which we con-
fiscated. The cavalry were not permitted to remain long
in the village but were sent to pursue the enemy. We
caught up with their rear about three miles out and for
the rest of the day it was skirmishing and shooting. Our
regiment war in it at one time then another would hit
on the rebels and so we kept it up until dark. I
had a fine view of one fight in a clearing. Several
were killed and wounded on both sides. We en-
camped that night about a mile beyond here and the
next morning moved to this place where we have
since remained. I say we I mean we sick and
invalid, as the regiment only
193 strong left here last
Friday night about 11 and have not since returned. We
hear they are now in Kentucky. There are about 250
of us here unfit for duty. To show how likely we
ate to get well, yesterday afternoon as I was sitting here
writing, it commenced to rain. In about half an hour
my tent was flooded covered with water. I had to
go out myself and ditch around it to turn the water off.
It soon ran off leaving a nice bed of mud which I now
have for a floor. It has not yet stopped raining and
last night about twenty of our tents had to be abandoned
and the poor devils in them turn out in the wet and
seek other quarters. I have just now been down to see
the flooded district. There were some half dozen or more
tents under six feet of water the others had been saved
and moved to higher ground. The ground all about us
under us is soaked. Many have nothing but the ground
and a blanket to sleep on. These you must remember
are all sick men unfit for duty. Do you think they will
get well soon? I fortunately havea little cot but
no blankets however with two or three overcoats +c I
have borrowed I manage to get through the night. Lord
If I only had a good dry floor or barn to sleep in. I should be
moderately contented. I have not been troubled any with colds or coughs
which I think is strange as I have gone a week with wet feet have slept
in the open air with no covering have been driven up several nights by
the rain +c +c. The night before we came here, Monday night, I com-
meced raining I was sleeping with Capt Mix on the ground as he
had blankets and I move. We had a rubber under us and one over
us, so we did not mind it at first as we had passed many a night
of that kind dry. We both awoke at the same time and found
that we were lying in about six inches of water and completely soaked.
We had unfortunately lain down in a little hollow, and suffered the con-
sequences. We had to get up in the driving storm and sit there shivering
until morning. Pleasant wasn’t it! and I at the same time so weak
I could hardly sit on a horse.
How long we shall remain here or where go I have not the slightest
idea. If Grant is defeated as is reported. I do not believe we can hold
our own here long. Rosecraus appears to be the only General we have and I
am afraid he can’t save the country. I have thought for some time
that we shall have to give it up. I do not believe the rebels can be whipped
and kept whipped. Even now they are overrunning Kentucky with their guer-
illa bands sad diverting a part of this army to the pursuit of them. I
hope I way be mistaken. Our Eastern Army never has done anything,
and I think never will. Our soldiers do not fight as the rebels do. Our
Generals are not as much in earnest as theirs are. We are seeking shoul-
der straps and stars they independence and in my opinion they will get it.
Have you seen anything of Joe Huston yet? He is at home recruit-
ing health and soldiers. I do not think he will be very successful in
either. I should like when he comes back that you would send by him
some slippers two good pairs of woolen socks. If you can I would like
two good blankets. At any rate Joe has my valise with him. You
might fill that. He can get another. If he does not intend to come
back get my valise and pistol from him. He has both. Capt Mel-
chor is trying to get a twenty days furlough. I hope he may, as he
has been unwell for a long time. He will not get well while here.
Many thing that the officers live better than the privates and are thus less
liable to get sick. This is a mistake. They fare no better and sometimes
not as well as a private can go foraging (i.e. stealing) on his own account
which an officer can not do and return loaded with chickens +c
What plundering I have seen. One day last week I saw a ham brought
into camp wrapped in a Southern lady’s wedding dress.
Good bye my dear brother. I have spun this out to a tedious length
already. Write
home for me, and let all know that I am safe. I
can write no one else. You may send this if you like to Cousin Eliza. I
have for a long time intended to write her. Good bye. Your brother R.B
